The Pioneer Women’s Club of the Brown County Historical Society practice and teach the domestic frontier crafts with up to date projects: sewing, quilting, weaving, knitting, embroidery, spinning, etc. The Pioneer Women’s Club functions as a complementary group within the Brown County Historical Society. They work to keep traditions alive through their crafts and volunteer efforts that raise money to support the Brown County Historical Society.
Each year the Club obtains an Indiana gaming license and creates a raffle quilt. Chances to win the quilt are sold for a year with monthly proceeds going to the Brown County Historical Society.
Members have a variety of opportunities lo become in volved. The Club participates in creating merchandise for the Brown County History Center Gift Shop, volunteering at the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show, being a Pioneer village docent, sharing their talents at The Gathering in the Pioneer Village and participating in the Spring Blossom Parade. They also participate in the Rock and Mineral Show, Spring Into Art, the Abe Mart.in Bazaar, Christmas Tree Lighting, and Stuff a Stocking. The Club provides many opportunities to share your skills, learn new skills and develop lasting friendships.
The Pioneer Women’s Club meets each Wednesday in Howard Hughes Hall at the Brown County History Center, 90 E. Gould Street in Nashville, from 9 a.m. to noon. Dues are $10 for the year paid each November. Members receive a handbook each year containing member information, and each month’s activities and opportunities. If you are interested in learning more about the Club please join us any Wednesday to learn more or leave your name and number at 812-988-2899 and a member will return your call.
ln the early days of the Historical Society. when meetings were still in members’ homes, or later in the Community Building, some of the women had the idea to form an organization to practice the handcraft skills used by our forebears; to study and/or demonstrate old-time skills; and to support the Brown County Historical Society as resources would permit. They referred to themselves as Pioneers.
On January 30, 1965, 20 ladies met in the cabin of the Brown County Historical Society on Helmsburg Road, to discuss formation of a club to enter into money making projects for a Fall Bazaar. Since the Club would share facilities of the Society property it was decided that any future profits derived from projects would be donated to the Society to reduce debt on the property or for expansion of same.
Officers elected were: President: Lula Lee Rogers; Vice President: Ruth Fender; Secretary/Treasurer – Edith Forkner; General Chairman of the Bazaar: Ethel Mae Miller and Bernice Burch. By-laws were created and yearly dues of $1.00 was established and meeting dates to be the last Saturday of the month at 1:30 at the Cabin.
In May the meeting date was changed to the last Wednesday. It was decided to meet in the morning for a workshop, have lunch served by a hostess committee, and have a business meeting afterwards.
In March of 1965 they called themselves the Pioneer Club and called every Historical Society woman to explain the purpose of the Club and invite them to join. They stated they were a working club and not a social club, but they do have fun! ln the 1968 minutes they were referred lo as the Brown County Pioneer Women’s Club and still proudly carry that name to this day.
